Admission
Information

What qualities do successful MEHS students have?

The Master of Environmental Health and Safety degree is best suited to students with solid background in engineering, technology, natural science, and health who are interested in further specialization in occupational safety and health. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with a major in technology, engineering, science, or other appropriate field. Baccalaureate degree holders with different majors but with other relevant backgrounds or qualifications will also be considered. If deficiencies exist, candidates may be accepted into the program contingent upon the successful completion of certain courses designed to correct them.

All MEHS candidates gain thorough preparation in problem-solving methods, decision-making techniques, record-keeping procedures, training and presentation skills, cross-organizational communication, and leadership. In addition to studying safety principles and practices, MEHS program candidates learn how to analyze data and assess human situations, often drawing on personal experience in occupational settings. Shared information, group discussion and the give and take of opinions help develop the sound professional judgment and practical knowledge that are of immediate value to prospective employers.

Students are also encouraged to join related professional organizations where they have opportunities to learn from resource people in industrial safety, hygiene and ergonomics and establish professional contacts. In addition, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) student chapter also brings in guest speakers and program alumni.

What are the admission requirements?

By the start of the term for which they are applying, all applicants must have:

a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university

a grade of C or better in the following prerequisite college coursework:

introductory chemistry with a lab component

introductory statistics

Additionally, international students for whom English is not their native language must obtain one of the following minimum scores on an English fluency exam:

a Baccalaureate degree in a science, engineering or other E.H.S.-related field

a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 point scale)

work experience related to E.H.S.

obtained a minimum score of 143 on both the Quantitative and Verbal portions and a minimum 3.0 on the Analytical portion of the GRE General Test

completed the following college coursework:

introductory calculus

introductory physics

human biology/physiology

psychology

Please note that, although GRE scores are not required for the admissions decision, they are recommended if you wish to be considered for assistantships or other forms of financial aid.

Select candidates with either a cumulative GPA below 3.0 or a deficiency in their prerequisite coursework may be offered a probationary one-semester admission. The probationary period is intended to allow these students to demonstrate their potential for successfully completing the degree program. Students admitted on probation must take two core courses; if they obtain an overall GPA of 3.00 or better, they will be offered full admission and allowed to continue taking courses in the program.

How do I apply?

ALL application materials are to be submitted electronically through the ApplyYourself application system (see below). Applicants are also responsible for obtaining information on and following any University-level admission deadlines and requirements (please visit the UMD Graduate Schoolwebsite to review University-level information for prospective applicants).

Please note also that the decision regarding admission into the program will be emailed to you from the the ApplyYourself system (not the MEHS program) after your application has been reviewed by the MEHS admissions committee AND your transcripts and other credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) have been authenticated by Graduate School officials.

Deadlines

If you are a student from the United States, your application package must be complete and submitted to the ApplyYourself system approximately one month prior to the term for which you wish to enroll (August 1 for Fall and December 1 for Spring). Complete packages that are submitted less than one month prior to the start of a term will be reviewed for admission effective the following term.

If you are an international student, we STRONGLY recommend that you apply by April 15 for admission in the following Fall term. This should allow sufficient time for the paperwork (visas, etc.) that must be in place prior to your arrival in the United States as well as locating housing. In addition, the University has helpful orientation programs and other services for international students in the late summer/early fall that are not always available at the start of the Spring semester.

If you are interested in being considered for financial support through the program (e.g., teaching or research assistantships), you MUST apply by April 15 for admission in the following Fall term. Applications received after this deadline or submitted for the Spring term will not be considered for funding support. Please be aware that the MEHS program has very limited opportunities for assistantships and rarely awards assistantships to incoming students. Further, these options have traditionally been limited to students with an industrial or mechanical engineering undergraduate degree.

Materials

All application materials should be submitted directly to the ApplyYourself admissions system. We cannot review your application until all of the required materials listed below are submitted successfully. Submission of the following indicate a complete application file:

International students: Please refer to the following information regarding International transcripts and credentials. Please note that an English translation must be included with the uploaded transcript if the original transcript is not in English.

Please do NOT send paper copies of your transcripts via postal or courier mail as official transcripts or academic records are not required for our initial review.

Three (3)
recommendation
letters

Electronically via

ApplyYourself

Recommendations from current and past employers are acceptable; however, at least one recommendation MUST come from a current or former professor who can assess your potential for graduate work.

Paper copies are not accepted; neither are recommendations from family members.

Please answer a set of essay questions (see below to download) about basic EHS-related scenarios and upload your answers to the link under Writing Sample. This link is found under the "Program Supplementary Information" section in the ApplyYourself online application.

OPTIONAL

Materials:

Where to submit:

How to submit:

You may include your resume or CV if it contains information not included elsewhere in your application but that you feel should be considered in the application review.

Upload your Resume/CV into the Resume' or CV portion of the "Program Supplementary Information" section in the ApplyYourself online application.

GRE Scores

Electronically via ApplyYourself

The MEHS program does not require GRE scores for admission, but they are recommended if you wish to be considered for financial aid. Scores should be entered in the Test Information-Self-Reported section of the application.